Lloyd's delight as she ran to the bench in celebration will be one of the lasting images from the women's tournament. The US were being outplayed at times by the Japanese, who resembled the female equivalent of Arsenal: full of panache, attacking threat and poise but eager to try one pass too many in the search for a perfect goal. The US typified the approach most recently deployed by Chelsea. Strong, resilient and full of pace, they soaked up Japanese pressure – thanks to some tremendous saves from Hope Solo – before foraging forward on counter attacks and set pieces.

Lloyd personified the USA's battling approach, marshaling the midfield then supporting Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach up top. Her game-winning goal came courtesy of the intelligent running of the aforementioned duo, as they opened up space centrally for Lloyd. But she still had to find a finish from 25 yards out, and the US No10 did just that.

The 30-year-old didn't start the first match, but scored a beauty after coming on as a sub. She kept her place in the side for the rest of the tournament. When she was needed most, Lloyd delivered on the big stage, scoring a team-high four goals from midfield.

Hampden comeback

Despite so much hope and optimism surrounding the USA's campaign, everything seemed to be crashing to the ground after just 20 minutes of their opening match, against France. Two down and reeling at Hampden Park in Glasgow, the experience and leadership of the US side shone through. Instead of imitating rabbits caught in the headlights of a juggernaut, the US dug in, got back to basics and soon found themselves on level terms.

A quick-fire double from the deadly duo of Wambach and Morgan got the game back to 2-2 at the break. Then Lloyd hammered home a trademark strike to put the US in the lead, leaving Morgan to add an insurance goal for the 4-2 win.

As soon as the US grabbed one back, they were flying. Confidence exuded from every American player as Wambach bullied the French defense and Morgan nipped in behind with her electric pace. After beating the world champions, Japan, 4-1 in a warm-up tournament in Sweden, the US seemed dead certs to progress to the gold-medal game for the fifth consecutive time. That looked in jeopardy during a topsy-turvy first half against Les Blues, but the USA's quality shone through as they kick-started their Olympic title defense in emphatic style.

There is usually a more jovial rivalry between the US and Canada, compared to other sporting rivalries across the planet, but not when it comes to women's soccer. Glancing at the comments after Monday's epic semi-final tie, you can see why both sets of players lunged into challenge after challenge on the greasy Old Trafford surface. Yes, there was a trip to the Olympic gold-medal match on the cards, but the ferocity ran deeper than that.

A war of words ensued after the final whistle. Canada's coach, John Herdman, certainly didn't hold back.

"It was taken from us," he said. "The referee will have to live with it. We'llmove on from this but I wonder if she will be able to."

Herdman was talking about the decision to penalize Canada's keeper for holding the ball for longer than six seconds, which resulted in the USA's equalizing goal for 3-3.

"Obviously, we're disappointed and upset," she said. "We felt that the referee took it away from us, so, yes, we are disappointed. We feel like we didn't lose, we feel like it was taken from us. It's a shame in a game like that, which is so important, that the ref decided the result before the game started."

The debate will no doubt rumble on, as Fifa has now waded in. This shows just how the women's game has reverberated around the globe after these Olympics. Controversy aside, it is great for the women's game that a rivalry like this has been renewed.

For the US this became a tournament of comebacks, and the showdown with Canada showcased their famous never-say-die attitude. To come back from, 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 down takes some doing. And to find the resolve and composure to score the winner in injury-time in extra-time? That signifies remarkable resolve.

Morgan comes of age

Before the Olympics, coaches, players and opponents all pointed towards one US player who could make the difference at London 2012: Alex Morgan.

Twelve months ago, at the World Cup in Germany, she was a bit-part player. Morgan came off the bench to devastating effect, scoring in the semi-final and final, but disappointment was in store for the California native as the US lost to Japan on penalties. When I met her in Glasgow on the eve of the Olympics, a burning desire surfaced in her eyes. She believed this was her time to shine.

So what happened at the Olympics didn't surprise Morgan, or manyaround her. She elevated herself from US prospect to international superstar in the space of two weeks.

At 23, Morgan has it all. Pace, finesse, strength in the air and composure in front of goal. She catapulted the US to victory against France in the opener, before scoring the game-winning goal against Canada. Standing with her arms pointing towards the sky in the penalty box at Old Trafford, she signaled her rise to the top.

Before the Games, Morgan responded coyly when responding to comments from her strike partner Wambach – who is arguably the greatest woman to ever play the game – to the effect that she was going to be the next global superstar.

"Abby is being a little too kind with her words," she said. "She is all about the team. She is the best forward in the world. I really just look to her to learn a lot and follow in her footsteps."

Those are some significant footsteps to follow. But after her performances and goals at the Olympics, Morgan is well on the way to taking over as the world's top striker.

The future?

The future is looking bright. With Morgan, Lauren Cheney, Heather O'Reilly, Sydney Leroux and Kelley O'Hara all under 25, US dominance looks set to continue. With the nation's fourth soccer Olympic gold around their necks, life couldn't get much better for Team USA. But it just did.

Sundhage hoped the Olympics would help to create future leagues: "Every big event, like the World Cup, the Olympics, is good for the women's game. And hopefully that makes it a little bit easier and a little bit more attractive to create more professional leagues in the world."

The Swedish coach got her wish. So not only did the team's victory at London 2012 earn them a gold medal, it also reignited their dreams of playing professional soccer domestically.

Without the Olympics, would the league have been reformed? Perhaps. But one thing's for certain, the USA's stellar performances and brand of exciting soccer certainly did it no harm. As did the performances of several other nations, as the league founders will hope to attract the top European and Asian players to the USA to play professionally.

Women's soccer is on the rise and gaining respect across the world.And after an invigorating tournament, they can count on Sir Bobby Charlton's support.

"I have had to remind myself that I am not watching the men," said the Manchester United and England great. "I was skeptical of women's football – that was a mistake. Women's football used to be ridiculed, but not anymore."

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